Indicator gauge



Aug. 21, 1956 w. B.. HAASE Er Ax.

INDICATOR GAUGE Filed NOV. 4. 1954 I N V EN TRS WAL 775@ B. #44:5 and W/Lme F.' scf/5.1.5

A rra/PNE Y United States Patent O INDICATOR GAUGE Walter B. Haase and Wilmar F. Scheld, Wethersfield, Conn.

Application November 4, 1954, Serial N o. 466,780

3 Claims. (Cl. 33-169) This invention relates to a gauge and, more specitically, to an indicator gauge which may be used to particular advantage as an instrument for setting and ada gauge of simple and economical construction and which, by reason of its simplicity and economical construction, is particularly attractive and useful to home workshop and hobby shop users, but which at the same time is so precise in operation as to also be a valuable instrument for the professional craftsman.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide an indicator gauge which includes a movable member calibrated for precise measuring purposes, which includes means for fixing the movable member in adjusted positions located by visual reference to the calibrations, and which also includes means readily accessible to the user so that the user can tell by his sense of touch when the movable member is properly engaged by an object to be measured in any preselected and xed position of the movable member.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description of the invention taken in connection with the attached drawing wherein one specific embodiment of the invention is shown and in which drawing.

Fig. l is a side elevational view of the indicator gauge;

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the indicator gauge with a portion of its base shown in cross section to illustrate a detail of construction;

Fig. 3 is a top view of the gauge; and

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view with parts being shown in elevation to illustrate details.

The embodiment of the invention shown in the drawing may be described in general terms as comprising a frame 10 which movably and adjustably supports gauging means in the form of a calibrated measuring bar 12 in such a manner that when the base of the frame is placed against a at reference surface with the measuring bar normal to the surface, the calibrations on the measuring bar can be read with reference to the frame to indicate the distance separating the said surface and the measuring bar. The gauge is, of course, used to measure an object placed upon or extending from the surface in the direction of the measuring bar, the measurement taken being that dimension of the object normal to the surface. A specific application or use of the device is in setting a circular power-driven saw blade to project a selected distance above a saw table so as to cut a groove of selected depth in a work piece. For purposes of convenience, the gauge will be specically described as particularly adapted for the aforesaid use, but it should be understood that the gauge has a wide variety of other uses, some of which will be briefly described hereinafter.

2,759,269 Patented Aug. 2l, 19555 ICC As shown on the drawing, the frame 10 includes a base 14, a vertically extending post 16, and a laterally projecting arm 18 having a bushing or sleeve 20 formed on its extending end which bushing has a bore 22 slidably receiving the measuring bar 12. The foresaid elements of the frame 10 are preferably integrally formed of metal and the said frame can be simply and economically cast in the form shown and thereafter machined. As shown on the drawing, the base 14 is substantially flat and of substantially rectangular coniiguration and the said base is disposed in a horizontal plane so that the post 16 extends vertically upwardly therefrom. The bushing 20 is arranged on the laterally extending arm 18 so that its bore 22 extends vertically. As used herein, the terms horizontal, vertical, top, and bottom, etc. are for convenient reference to the drawing and are not meant as terms of limitation, it being understood that the gauge of this invention can be used in other `than the position shown in the drawing.

An important feature of the present invention is the provision of a vertically extending circular opening or bore 24 in the base 14 which slidably receives a feeler plug 26. The construction and purpose of the feeler plug will be described in detail hereinafter, but it should be noted that the bore 24 and plug 26 extend from the bottom surface 28 to the top surface 30 of the base 14.

After the frame 10 has been cast, the only machining operations necessary are to provide a at, ground, horizontal bottom surface 28 on the base 14; to machine the vertical bore 22 in the bushing 20; to machine the vertical bore 24 in the base 14; and to grind the top surface 32 of the bearing 20 in a horizontal plane which is spaced from the plane of the bottom surface 28 by a xed distance.

The bushing bore 22 and the measuring bar 12 are preferably cylindrical and dimensioned for free sliding and rotational movement of said bar within the bushing. The measuring bar is calibrated in two vertically extending side-by-side scales 34 and 36 of equal and oilset increments. That is, if the scale 34 is divided into 1&2" calibrations, the scale 36 should also be divided into Mgg increments with each 1/32 indicia on the sca'le 36 located precisely at the midpoint separating the two adjacent $432 calibrations on the scale 34. Thus, by locating the scales 34 and 36 in side-by-side relationship for simultaneous observation, measurements can be read with great precision to 1&4 and measurements falling between calibrations can be readily calculated by interpolation. It has been found that the error in visual interpolation by a person of ordinary sight and skill should not exceed .005 inch.

The zero calibrations for the scales 34 and 36 Should be placed on the measuring bar 12 at precisely the distance from the bottom end 38 thereof which equals the xed distance between the horizontal plane of the bottom surface 28 on the frame 10 and the horizontal surface 32 on the bushing 20. Thus, the scale is read along or with reference to the surface 32, the plane of said surface providing the sighting plane for reading the measuring bar. It will be readily understood that the measuring bar as shown in the drawing can be used to measure the vertical dimension of any object placed below the bushing 20 on a surface which is co-planar with the su-rface 28 when the said measuring bar rests on the top of the said object. It will also be apparent that if the indicator gauge is placed on a horizontal saw table and a circular saw disposed in a vertical plane is elevated through a slot provided in the table so as to engage the bottom end 38 of the measuring bar, the amount of blade elevation can be read on the scale 34 and 36 along the horizontal surface 32. The only limitation in the measurensiwithttt t 'lc'ate'd over the saw slot in the table'.

ment of vertical height is imposed by the distance that the bottom surface 40 of the bushing 20 is disposed above the plane of the bottom surface 28 on the base 14. This distance` will, of course, var'y with the height of the verticalpost 16. l

It should. also be understood that therneasuring bar 12 c an be usedto. measure depth or vertical dimensions below thev plane of the surface 28 by extending the length of the measuring bar 12 beyond that shown., Thatis, ifthe measuringbjar isextended in length and provided Withas'cale which extends upwardly as well as downwardly fromthe zero point, the bottom end 38 of the measuringbar can `be dropped Ibelow the planeof the Vsurface 2182 the amount of drop being measured b yrreading Athat portion of thescale above the zero point in the plane of the surface 32. Y v

.In the particularembodiment shown; the measuring bar 12.,is 'net eXtended, above Vthe zero point on the scales 3.4 and.36.I T hat is, the top end 42 of themeasuring bar corresponds With the Zero point on the scales 34 and36. Thus,- the measuring `bar 12 is` precisely equal inglength to the xed vertical distanceV separating the bottomV-horiz ontalsu'rfaceZ on the lframe l0 and the top horizontal surface 372. Also in th'e embodimentshown, the bottom end 38 ofthemeasuring bjar 12 is no t permitted to :drop below the horizontal plane of the bottom surface 28. The means .preventing ,drop Iof themeasuring bar comprises a st op lixed tothetop end`42 of ther said measuring bar to 'engage the ,bushingsurface 32 and limit down- )yard movement ofthe lsaid measuring bar. The said stop preferably comprises a pin which is press ttedinto the top end 42 of the measuring bar and which has a ilangedhead 44 extending beyond the peripheral edge ofthe `topfend o f-.the measuring bar so as to be engageable With the` surface.32. As best shown in Fig; 3, the stop pin is located offcenter with respect to the center line of the measuring bar so that the flanged head 44 of the said pin will ,projectfrom the side 'of the measuring bar opposite to the scales 34 and 36. Thus, the calibrations on the scales 34 and 36 adjacentthe. top end 42 of the measuring bar 12 are unobstructed and can readily beobserved.

While the indicator gauge has many uses with the measuring barl 12 freely movable with respect to the frame 10, .as fo'r example in measuring the vertical dimension ,o fanwobject, the said gauge alsohas a variety of uses with the measuring bar 12 located in a preselected 'adjusted position with respect to theframe 10. flhatis,in many uses it is desirableto set the bottom end 3 8 of the measuring bar a selected distance above the Lplane of the surface 23. This distance can, of course, be selected by vertical adjustment of the measuring b ar to they positionwhere the scale reading indicates the selected distance. The measuring ,bar is iixed `in the aforesaid adjustedposition by tightening a hand operated set screw 46 which is threaded in the bushing 20 to engage the measuring bai within the` bore 22. It is p referred that a leather disk 48 be xed to the inwardlyl projecting end ofthe set screw 46 forengagement with thez measuring bar 12 sowthat the said measuring bar will; not beA scratched or otherwise marked by reason of setvA-screw engagement. y A

Iparticularkuse of the indicator A gauge ywith the measuring bar xed in a preselected adjusted position occurs when the gauge isrused to set the height f a vertically disposed circular saw blade. More specifically; it may be desired, `for example, to elevate the saw blade to 336i lsofaszt'o cut a groove 3%4 deep in a work piece. The measuring b ar is adjusted so that the 3%4' calibration 'resides in the plane of the sufrfacef 32 i(as Slis-'wn in Fig, i) and then the et 'ser-ew 42s isugmeifed 'Ihenhthegaugeis positioned on thesaw table with the msm surfc e 2 s qf sie ease 14 resting on the tab-if@ bbttoin end 38 of the measuring bar 12 Then', tlie saw bladeis elevatedto engage the said bottom end 38 of the measuring bar.

It will be readily understood that when the saw blade engages the measuring bar it tends to lift the said bar and the frame 10 from the table. The tendency to lift the indicator gauge is manifested in pivotal movement of the gauge on its base 14 about the edge thereof farthest removed from the measuring bar.A This lifting or pivoting can be detected v'itliin .001 of movement by the sense of touch.' Thatis; if kthe user will placehis nger on the feeler plug 26 so that his finger simultaneously engages the top surface 30-of the base .14,'he can detect movinnt of the feeler plug with respect to the' base 14 even though such movement may be less than .001". It will be quite apparent that movement of the feeler plug 26 relative to the base 14 Will take place within the bore 24. The bore 24 and feeler plug 26 are dimensioned for free sliding Imovement of said plug within the boreand, therefore, the saidpliig will be gravity biased. However, themfeeler plug `26 is prevented from inadvertent revmoval from the bore by Imeans of a stop screw 50 threaded into the base-14 to project into the bore 24. 'lfhe plug 26 has a reduceddiameter portion 52 intermediate its ends andin operating clearance from the projecting: end `ofthe screv v 0Jwhereby the said plug may move vertically za limited amount.

"When theplug 26 isin yially placed within .the bore andlthestopcrew 5 0 threaded thereinto to retain the plughit is preferred that top yof the saidM plug and the adjacent area ofthe ltop surfacel 30 of the basey be ground in thesameplane with the bottom 'end of the pluga'iid bottom surtace of the base residing in the sr'rieplne. he top ofthe plug vand the top surface of the'base riesidlngin the same plane, it is easier to detect movement of tliep'lugwithiii the bore. v A

peatiri of the in'dicatoi gauge i'n setting a vertically adjustable slavi? bladefthe lblade is elevatedV to engage the `botto of the 'measuring bar 12 k'and is furthery el'evtdt'q ct a v 'e y s"1 ight, but detectable, movement f the pig 26 v'viui'ri the bore 24. Then, the v e'rtii height of the saw blade is reduced While still in engagement Wit the ine barintil the top of the plug 2'6 a1`rid -the T J i ce of the' base again cdin'cide. The user is their 'ed dit the b'la'a'eprjts the pfeseleted distance. While the invention has been described ,in vconnectioh m'cit'iI embodiment, it should be understood We osi-lot intend to limit the scope of the invention te the idtiis' sf r'iieaegc'riba amusement mherwise than indicated by the claims h foll'ow.

We claim as our inverition: l n

Inl an indicator gaufgefor measuring the vertical dimension o I t extending above a fiat horizl'ontal [Il bmatibn comprising a frame including a rizo Aal bottfoinhd a horizontal t'op surupwardly fiom the base, an arincxrllyyfrorh the post, -arid a bushing on the pr- `f 'the fai h aviag v ef'tieai wie, a menemly disposed in said bore and having a vertical e which can bfreld with reference to the frame, nens for secuiilig the bar in adjusted vertical p 'csitloris bre, n`d rttiiis for detecting ehgag'i'tient bethe bot m hd of the measu'r'ihg har and an object ng 'sve s'aid n-'ajt heribfai -iifrfa'eg said detecths comprising a feeler plug 'freely movable in said l rtical plane feeler p'lu'A extends between the bttum 'of thA Barge and the h'rifz'o'ntl top 'f'.:

` "thete`f ivi/ith its ti end 'residing in 'th'e plane 'of said trip top surface, a measuring bar slidably disposed in said bore and being of suicient length to extend between said llat surface and the horizonta surface on the bushing, said bar having a Vertical scale which can be read in the plane of the top surface of the bushing and with reference thereto, means for securing the bar in adjusted vertical positions in said bore, a stop for limiting vertical movement of the measuring bar which stop includes means projecting horizontally from the top surface of the measuring bar for engagement with the horizontal top surface of the bushing, and means for detecting engagement of the bottom end of the measuring bar with an object eX- tending above said flat surface, said detecting means comprising a feeler plug which is gravity biased for free sliding movement in a vertical plane within said base, the said feeler plug extending from the horizontal bottom of the base to the horizontal top of the base with the top of the plug normally residing in the plane of the top of the base.

3. In a device for gauging the elevation Iof an object above a horizontal reference surface, the combination comprising a frame which includes a base adapted to rest on the reference surface and having a top surface, gauging means supported by said frame for engagement with the top of the object with the base resting on the reference surface, and means for detecting engagement between the gauging means and the object, the said detecting means comprising a feeler plug which is movable vertically in said base and which has a top surface and a bottom sur, face respectively coinciding with the top surface of the base and the reference surface when the base rests properly on the reference surface.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 60,186 Hathaway Dec. 4, 1866 381,937 Linsley May 1, 1888 784,903 Stemmrich a- Mar. 14, 1905 1,225,835 Luck May 15, 1917 FOREIGN PATENTS 2,885 Great Britain Feb. 24, 1887 

